The Weekly Update #4

Dear Killam Families,

Our Killam Read-A-Thon kicks off Monday, March 3rd and will run for three weeks! We are so excited to get our students reading, learning, and having fun.

To get started, we ask that you activate your child’s reader account today by clicking this link and following the simple instructions.

Please keep an eye on your child’s folder this week for instructions on:

• How to view and record reading progress
• How to share your child’s page with family and friends to collect pledges

Read-A-Thons are a wonderful way to get kids excited about reading while giving friends and family the opportunity to encourage and support their efforts.

This year’s prizes are bigger and better than ever! Our eager readers can earn:

• DJ lunch party
• Extra recess
• A ride to school in a fire truck
• Experience baskets (mini golf, ropes course and more!)
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We’ll also have fun mystery readers visiting during lunch and class time throughout the Read-A-Thon to keep the excitement going and well as a Stuffed Animal Sleepover on March 10th.

This fundraiser is our biggest of the year, and the funds raised help support:

• Field trips
• Transportation
• In-school enrichment activities

We have a school-wide goal of 200,000 minutes read, and we hope every student participates!

If you have any questions, please reach out to killamptopresidents@gmail.com.

Thank you so much for your continued support and enthusiasm.

Warmly,
Killam PTO

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! We have an exciting and joyful week ahead at Killam.

We are officially kicking off our Readathon this week!

• Monday: Wear your Red Sox gear or red/white as we launch into reading fun together.

• Tomorrow: Students will enjoy a very special surprise visitor to start the week.

• Friday: Dress like your favorite book character!

• At the end of the week, we are thrilled to welcome Sarah McKinnon, author of The Cheerful Chip, who will share her story and teach students what it’s like to be an author.

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Please take a moment to read the Readathon blurb below, especially about our Stuffy Sleepover happening next week — it’s sure to be a highlight!

There is no school on Wednesday due to a professional development day for staff. We appreciate your support as our educators continue their learning to best serve our students.

Report cards will be coming home on Friday, March 20th. Term 2 officially closed this past Friday, and we are excited to roll into Term 3 celebrating strong student progress and growth.

Behind the scenes, I continue to work with our Executive Leadership Team to move the building project forward, and I will be serving on the Superintendent Search Committee in the coming weeks. I am grateful to be part of initiatives that will help move both Killam and the broader Reading community forward. Please let me know if you have any input!

As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our Killam Koalas!

Warmly,
Lindsey Fulton, Principal

This Week:

Monday, March 2nd- Readathon Kick-Off Assembly

Wednesday, March 4th- No School, Professional Development Day

Thursday, March 5th- Kindergarten Field Trip

Friday, March 6th- Dress Like Your Favorite Storybook Character Day

Friday, March 6th- Author Assembly

Next Week:

Tuesday, March 10th- PTO Meeting & Stuffy Sleepover!

Wednesday, March 11th- Mathnasium Night

Thursday, March 12th- Grade 1 Enrichment

Our middle school transition events are around the corner! You will be hearing from the middle school principals soon about all of the different events and activities that are in place to support a smooth transition to middle school. In the meantime, we wanted you to have a heads up to "save the date" for the first informational meetings at each school, which will be:

• Coolidge: March 25 for students & families (6:00 informational meeting in the Coolidge Cafeteria; 6:30 - 7:45 optional "Family Fun Night")

• Parker: April 1 for parents & caregivers (6:00 in the Parker Auditorium)

On Friday, March 6, we have a special guest for a school-wide assembly. Sarah McKinnon, a Boston-based educator, occupational therapist and author of the Small Tots book series is excited to visit for a special author meet & greet, presentation and reading of "The Cheerful Chip".

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About the Book

The Cheerful Chip is a heartwarming children’s story that helps kids discover the joy of confidence, kindness, and staying true to who they are, even when the world around them changes. When Chip sees his friends experimenting with new looks and bold flavors, he starts to wonder if he should change too. But after a few messy mishaps, Chip learns that his cheerful spirit and original self are what make him (and his friendships) truly special.

About the Author

Bring the snacks and let's tell some stories! Meet Sarah McKinnon, author of The Cheerful Chip and the Small Tots book series, and founder of Southie OT. As a proud occupational therapist, she's no stranger to knowing how to bring her creativity and her joy for life to inspire those around her. Some of her biggest inspirations have been sparked over mealtime conversations with her family and friends in South Boston, Massachusetts.

Book copies are available pre-visit at www.smalltotsbooks.com. At checkout, use code "JWARRENKILLAM" for a special discount. Click "local delivery" and be sure to write the teacher name in the delivery instructions.

We look forward to meeting Sarah and seeing Chip come to life!

The RMHS robotics team, the Robockets, is hosting a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) competition in the RMHS Fieldhouse Saturday, March 14th (approx. 10:30-6), and Sunday March 15th (approx. 10-6). The Robockets would love for you to come show your town pride and support for the team. Come whenever and stay as long/short as you want.

The Reading FIRST Lego League teams will also have an exhibition. This is a great opportunity if your elementary or middle school student is interested in checking out the FIRST Lego League program.

Additionally, both the Robockets and FRC are always looking for volunteers for their events.

Robockets volunteers handle tasks like manning the snack bar and managing orders: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0449ADA923A4F5C52-62049068-2026#/.

FRC volunteers set up, judge, and organize the competition: https://www.nefirst.org/volunteer.

SEIZE THE DAY WITH NEWSIES JR. PRESENTED BY PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL DRAMA CLUB

Disney’s NEWSIES JR.

Playing at RMHS Performing Arts Center

Disney’s Newsies JR., presented by Parker Middle School Drama Club, is playing at RMHS Performing Arts Center Thursday, March 5th at 6:30pm, Friday, March 6th at 7pm, and Saturday, March 7th at 2pm. Tickets are now on sale at https://cur8.com/19736/project/137330.

Reading METCO is excited to announce that we will be hosting a roller-skating event for all RPS students and parents/guardians at Roller World in Saugus on Thursday, March 26th, from 5:00pm–7:00pm. Because last year’s event was such a huge success and filled up quickly, we were excited to bring it back again for this year!

This event is open to Reading Public Schools students and their families. While we all come from different communities, we are one METCO family, and this will be a fun opportunity for students to hang out and mingle after school hours while parents from Reading and Boston connect and engage with one another.

Skate rentals, pizza, and drinks will be provided. If you are a parent who is unable to attend, please feel free to send your child with money to purchase any additional items they may want. Please keep in mind that we are not responsible for your child’s money if they choose to bring it.

You must register for this event, as it is first come, first served. Last year, spots filled up fast! Please use the link below to register by Friday, March 20th.

• ​​ Registration Link For Roller World

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, March 26th, 2025
Time: 5:00pm–7:00pm
Location: Roller World, Saugus, MA
425R Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906